Every few years, the city of Stamford offers local artists the opportunity to paint on large fiberglass animals. It started as part of the "Cow Parade" series that different cities host from time to time, and has taken on different subjects over the years(stars, cars, safari animals). The iteration happened to feature cats & dogs.
I had seen several of these shows and always thought that it would be something I'd like to do, so when a friend sent me the flyer to enter, I jumped at the chance. I had two designs get through the approval process, and was lucky enough to find a sponsor for one of them.
The photos in this gallery are of that piece, titled "The Cat's Amphora" . It was inspired by Greek black figure amphorae, which would depict famous scenes with back figures silhouetted against a terracotta background. Instead of using the heroes of myth, I adorned mine with images of cats doing cat-tish things (wrestling, hunting, etc). In lieu of grapes and grape leaves, I made a pattern of fish under a triangle & Greek key design.
The finished piece was done with acrylic paint over the fiberglass form, using a mix of hand cut adhesive stencils & free painting.
The photos in this gallery are of that piece, titled "The Cat's Amphora" . It was inspired by Greek black figure amphorae, which would depict famous scenes with back figures silhouetted against a terracotta background. Instead of using the heroes of myth, I adorned mine with images of cats doing cat-tish things (wrestling, hunting, etc). In lieu of grapes and grape leaves, I made a pattern of fish under a triangle & Greek key design.
The finished piece was done with acrylic paint over the fiberglass form, using a mix of hand cut adhesive stencils & free painting.
My original submission form.
An amphora of the the type I used for inspiration.
The Cat's Amphora
The first coat, with exceptionally creepy eyes.
Coat 2, all the basics are in place.
Beginnings of the fish pattern.
The Greek key.
All the patterns applied.
The heroic cats make their appearance at last and after spending 2 weeks cutting stencils with an eXacto knife, I finally get to show my peers that "Yes, I can paint with a brush, too"
The finished piece.
